Just bought a new "Risky Business" blu ray, including digital copy. I enjoy the blu ray version as much as the next person, but when I purchase a product that offers additional features; I think those features should work, especially if the “digital copy” feature was one of the reasons why I bought the blu ray in the first place.

I attempted to copy the digital copy to my iPod. After loading the digital copy into the PC DVD drive, the nag screen loads saying you need an internet connection for this feature. Click that screen and the next message I get is, "Offer Expired - Sorry, this offer is no longer available for Risky Business."

WHAT? What’s up with that? I mean, if an advertisement indicates a digital copy is included with the purchase of the blu ray, and then I expect it to work! RIGHT?

Now, let's say that I woke up a year later from a comma and I went on line to buy this blu ray which offers the digital copy in a brand new package. I think even though, if there was a time limit on this offer, WB (Warner Brothers) should honor the digital copy feature, since there are thousands and thousands of digital copies that have not been sold yet. I think if WB does not want to continue to support the digital copy feature, they should pull all the digital copies from the selves so that good honest hard working people like you and me don't get ripped off. If WB does not pull the digital copies from the shelves, then they should at least state that on the advertisement.

Nope, the digital copy is on a disc all by it self. It is a rip off...

Warner doesn't waste a disc for digital copies on most releases, you have to download them from a server. The only time they provide a DVD-Rom disc is when the digital copy is iTunes compatible and that's due to the size of the iTunes file.

Universal also doesn't waste a disc for digital copies on most releases and the DVD disc also has SD material that can be shared between DVD-Video and Blu-ray Disc releases.

Fox and Lionsgate provide a DVD-Rom disc that is only good for the digital copy files and redemption.

Digital copies require a license key embedded in the file to work. Generally you purchase the movie and get access to the file.

The reason the codes expire is due to the contracts signed to provide that digital copy. Generally the codes are good for at least a year before they expire. In some cases, the digital copy is only available through redemption.

For example: Aliens vs Predator: Requiem is not available for purchase through the iTunes store. You have to input a code to redeem it and like other "freebies" from iTunes, its a limited time because the server handling redemptions has to be given the instructions to ok a transaction. They can not feasibly continue to provide these "freebies" forever.

In the case of Warner titles, its also an issue of having a server setup to provide that digial copy for download. After a certain time period, the cost of the server is going to outweigh the cost of providing that digital copy for free.

I had this happen with Nightmare Before Christmas. I decided I was going to load it on my Ipod 2 days after the code expired. I loaded it, entered the code and it worked anyway. It looks like some of them may go a little beyond their expiration dates, how far, I don't know.

Warner doesn't waste a disc for digital copies, you have to download them from a server.

Universal also doesn't waste a disc for digital copies on most releases and the DVD disc also has SD material that can be shared between DVD-Video and Blu-ray Disc releases.

Fox and Lionsgate provide a DVD-Rom disc that is only good for the digital copy files and redemption.

Digital copies require a license key embedded in the file to work. Generally you purchase the movie and get access to the file.

The reason the codes expire is due to the contracts signed to provide that digital copy. Generally the codes are good for at least a year before they expire. In some cases, the digital copy is only available through redemption.

For example: Aliens vs Predator: Requiem is not available for purchase through the iTunes store. You have to input a code to redeem it and like other "freebies" from iTunes, its a limited time because the server handling redemptions has to be given the instructions to ok a transaction. They can not feasibly continue to provide these "freebies" forever.

In the case of Warner titles, its also an issue of having a server setup to provide that digial copy for download. After a certain time period, the cost of the server is going to outweigh the cost of providing that digital copy for free.

Although, I agree a server is required, but only as an authenticator and not the actual download of the media file/s. What occurs is that when you launch the digital copy disc for the purposes of digital copy to a portable device, in this case it was my iPod; the connection was made to the server for authentication. Once the user has been authenticated, it connects to iTunes for the process to allow the file/s to be copied to your portable device (this has been my experience when copying to the iPod).

Just for fun, load the digital copy and cancel the nag screen if it loads. Right click the DVD drive icon and select "Explorer". Observe, there are two files that are intended for playback, which are both the same movie, except one is intended for a portable device and the other is intended for your PC or Mac playback media software.

Now saying all that, if the server connection is required for the download, then why is there media files burnt to a DVD (standard resolution) disc? If I am wrong, then I stand corrected, but it doesn't make since to me to burn a digital copy to a DVD disc and also it requires downloading it from a server? Somehow, that seems like a waste of a good DVD disc to me, not to mention the equipment, human labor and other expenses in manifesting the digital copy.

Bottom line, it is still a huge rip off to market thousands and thousands of digital copies and then pull the plug, if you catch my drift.

Although, I agree a server is required, but only as an authenticator and not the actual download of the media file/s. What occurs is that when you launch the digital copy disc for the purposes of digital copy to a portable device, in this case it was my iPod; the connection was made to the server for authentication. Once the user has been authenticated, it connects to iTunes for the process to allow the file/s to be copied to your portable device (this has been my experience when copying to the iPod).

Just for fun, load the digital copy and cancel the nag screen if it loads. Right click the DVD drive icon and select "Explorer". Observe, there are two files that are intended for playback, which are both the same movie, except one is intended for a portable device and the other is intended for your PC or Mac playback media software.

Now saying all that, if the server connection is required for the download, then why is there media files burnt to a DVD (standard resolution) disc? If I am wrong, then I stand corrected, but it doesn't make since to me to burn a digital copy to a DVD disc and also it requires downloading it from a server? Somehow, that seems like a waste of a good DVD disc to me, not to mention the equipment, human labor and other expenses in manifesting the digital copy.

Bottom line, it is still a huge rip off to market thousands and thousands of digital copies and then pull the plug, if you catch my drift.

Warner only provides a disc when they include iTunes compatibility.

Warner has set up servers exclusively to provide the files through download over the internet for selected Windows Media Compatible digial copies only.

If the digital copy is only for Windows Media then you have to wait and download it from a server.

If the digital copy is for both iTunes and Windows Media then they will include a disc with both files on it so that a download from a server is not necessary.

Your mind is making you think you did but you didn't. Its like the CD sampler in Beetlejuice, the price is still the same for the BD without that CD. Same goes for Body of Lies: BD+DC is around $25 while BD only is still around $25. Its not like retailers were told to lower the price once the digital copy is no longer available or expires.

My suggestion is to contact Warner Brothers and if the authorization code redemption slip does not have an expiration date on it, then you can ask for a new redemption code.

Addition of digital copy adds an expiration date to some part of your purchase.

Also... If I want to back up my digital copies, I back them up onto DVDs. So I have the DVD they came with and the DVD I backed them up with and all the while I will likely never watch the thing because I have it on Blu Ray anyway.

I never realized this until now. Guess I better copy what I have before they expire too. Personally I got pissed when I bought Dark City only to find out New Line only distributes Windows only copies, no iTunes. It sure makes a nice coaster though.

As the great warrior-poet Ice Cube once said, 'If the day does not require an AK, it is good.' --- Generation Kill